“We invoke Saint Roch so that the plague and evil pass us by”. Reactions, beliefs and devotion related to the plague in the Middle Ages

Abstract

When the Black Death struck Europe in the 14th century, the european society began to look for some celestial help through several saints and marian advocations. Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch, Saint Anthony Abbot and Saint Christopher, as well as the Virgin of Mercy, among others, became some of the most beloved intercessors for the general population. This article intends to analyse some ways of representation for the previously mentioned saints as patrons against the plague. A special emphasis will be given to several works of art whose iconography is quite interesting (italian gonfaloni, the Fourteen Holy Helpers or die Vierzehnheiligen in German…). There will be an approach to those ideas which were used in the Middle Ages as an explanation for the origin of the disease, as well. Likewise, we will be able to review various ways for the medieval people to thank Heaven for the help given. All these aspects will be enriched with references to their influence in later centuries.